From blowing cold air into your living space in summers to keeping your home cozy in harsh winters, the ductwork in your home to work for 24 hours a day.
However, as the system continues throughout the year, it accumulates dust, hair, debris, mold spores, and other allergens. Even rodents and insects can make their way inside the ductwork. They’re unsanitary, dangerous to health, and decrease the lifespan of appliances connected with the HVAC system. Duct cleaning in Chesapeake eliminates these particles and ensures that you’re breathing healthy air.
What is Duct Cleaning?
During this process, technicians connect high-powered vacuums inside the vents and clean all the components of the system. It is recommended to get your air ducts cleaned every two to three years, depending on the frequency of usage and environmental factors.
If you are looking for cleaning services near you, we provide duct cleaning in Norfolk and Virginia Beach; call our Universal Duct Cleaning technician to schedule an appointment.
What does this process entail? Let’s look at the steps you can expect throughout the process of duct cleaning.
Pre-Inspection
A professional cleaning company will always start with a thorough ductwork inspection using specialized cameras. The technician will look for signs of visible build-up, trapped debris, mold, rodent infestation, structural problems, leaks, or clogs in the ducts. After determining the extent of the problem, they’ll create a checklist of treatments or repairs that will need to be done during the process.
Seal off the System
Different companies employ various methods for air duct cleaning. However, vacuuming is the standard cleaning method. The technicians create negative pressure inside the system by sealing all openings with special fittings and duct tapes and then vacuuming the ductwork.
Vacuuming Air Ducts
Then a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum is attached to the system by cutting into the vents and sealing around the hose. The high-powered vacuum sucks out any debris build-up and dust from the vents. Some tools like rotating brushes and whipping rods are also used to dislodge stubborn debris. The inlet and outlet vents are separately vacuumed and the process is repeated several times at every vent in the system.
This is the most crucial step in air duct cleaning. The technician must ensure that no air escapes during this process or the dust will be pushed back into the system. In addition, a strong vacuum with HEPA filter ensures that airborne particles are not reintroduced to the cleaned environment.
Mold and Mildew Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in moist and humid conditions. If your ductwork has cracked seals, it is also susceptible to mold and mildew growth. This can lead to serious allergies, asthma, and other respiratory infections.
Professional duct cleaners look for indications of mold and mildew during the inspection. If any are found, the system is disinfected with nontoxic antimicrobial chemicals to cleanse and sanitize the ducts. It is highly effective in reducing the harmful impacts on your home and limiting future growth. The vents are then sealed with antimicrobial seals to keep spores out.
This step is the most crucial in air duct cleaning, so you want professionals to do this right. Make sure you hire a reputable company that is committed to delivering quality service. If you are looking for duct cleaning in Norfolk, Virginia, give us a call. We have highly trained technicians and commercial vacuuming equipment to deliver top-quality service.
HVAC Inspection
After vacuuming the vents, the technicians will inspect the HVAC elements. First, they’ll remove the protective fixtures from your HVAC system and then clean the fans, heat exchanger, air handler, blower, coils, drain pan, drain lines, and other parts. This ensures that all the components are at their optimum performance. Then the system is sealed again to bring all the airflow back to normal.
Post-Cleaning Inspection
After the process, the vents are checked for leaks and airflow issues that may have cropped up during the cleaning. If any problem is found, it is immediately fixed. The final step is to wrap up the equipment and leave behind a clean home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does professional duct cleaning take?
The time varies depending upon the size of the house and the extent of work. It could take anywhere between 1 to 3 hours to clean an average size house.
How often should I get my ducts cleaned?
The ducts should be cleaned every 2-3 years, highly depending on the air quality in your surroundings. If you have allergies or keep pets, it’s a good idea to clean them more frequently.
What are the benefits of duct cleaning?
Duct cleaning helps improve the indoor air quality for healthier living. Other benefits include:
- Reduced allergy triggering agents in the house (pollen, mold, dust)
- Reduced health problems such as asthma and skin allergies
- Increased efficiency of your HVAC system
- More efficient HVAC system
How should I prepare for professional duct cleaning?
Make sure you book your appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Ensure that the work area is free of any valuables or clutter. It’s better if your family isn’t home during the process to avoid unnecessary discomforts.
Your Trusted Duct Cleaners in Virginia
As you can see, the process is fairly simple but requires professional attention. It all boils down to ensuring that no dust or debris escapes into the environment throughout the cleaning process. So don’t skimp on hiring a professional company – your family’s health is at stake.
Universal Insulation Doctors in Virginia Beach have been providing duct cleaning services throughout the Virginia locations, including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk. We are well-equipped with the latest technologies and equipment to deliver the best service you deserve. In addition, our technicians are professional, certified, and experienced who strive to follow the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction in the industry.
Give us a call today to get a free estimate and schedule duct cleaning for your home, office, or other commercial establishments.
